Ohio Privacy of School Records Laws

Overview of Ohio School Record Privacy Laws

State laws dictate how a student's school records are to be maintained and shared. On one hand, parents may feel entitled to view their children's records, but there also is a valid argument that unfettered access could be detrimental to honest evaluations. In any event, Ohio privacy of school records laws require parental consent for release of records if they are under 18.

What are the Main Types of School Records Subject to Privacy Laws?

There are three general types of school records that may be requested for various reasons, all of which are protected by state and federal privacy laws:

Transcripts - A transcript is an official record of a student's classes and grades received in each.

Graduation Verification - While a diploma is a unique document proving graduation, no "copies" are made; the graduation verification is a formal letter from the school.

Other Student Records - This category includes any other records that may be in the student's file, such as attendance, test results, discipline records, and contact information.

Federal School Record Protections

A federal law known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records for schools that receive federal funding. The law allows parents and eligible students to inspect their records; make corrections if necessary; and requires written permission in order to disclose any of these records.

Ohio law also requires a student's consent (parental consent if student is under 18) in order to disclose educational records, and applies to all schools in the state.

The basics of Ohio's privacy of school records laws are listed below. See FindLaw's School Privacy section for related resources.

Code Section

Title 1 §149.41, Title 33 §3319.32.1

Who Has Access to School Records?

No release without student's consent if over 18; if 18 or under, consent of parent or guardian is necessary. Directory information may be released. Rights of school district to renew or select student records are restricted.